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And many many more who were injured.

It was a fucked up day.

Aror was decimated, literally. Numerous buildings are gone, people are dead and another infrastructure is completely destroyed.

That was the day that Elton also lost everything, like many others.

He woke up in a hospital, he heard the faint, ringing sound of arguing.

He breathed, but even that was a laborious task, he tried to move, but that was an impossible task.

He could barely see, he could barely open his eyes.

It was as if an eternity had passed. And then he could hear.

"I'm sorry...but there is nothing we can do."

"What do you mean?! Isn't it your fucking job?!"

"I can't do anything about his legs! They've been reduced to mush, and demonic energy has seeped into his body...I'm just a C-rank healer...I can't do it."

One of them was a familiar voice...the voice of his father And the other he was unaware of.

A single breath, even though he was wearing an oxygen mask...was so hard.

He could feel the stinging pain in his body now...but most importantly he could not...no matter how much he tried to...he couldn't feel his legs.

And then, He passed out, again.

****

The lower part of his legs, from the knees, completely turned into a paste, and rampant demonic energy in his veins would keep him in torturous pain.

He was reduced to a crippled man, needing medication to dull his woes. A bright and prosperous future was once his, but now it went down the drain.

He had lost all hope, he had been crippled, he was miserable, and had fallen into even more depression that he started smoking and drinking.

A smoking addict, an alcoholic.

And then, as he would cry, from the pain and the realization he would then ponder.

Why me?

Why of all me?

I was intelligent? I was handsome, I was bright, charming, I was 'perfect'.

I had everything.

Everyone loved me before, but now they don't even look at it.

And his illness was getting even worse.

First, he was numb from his legs, then slowly he couldn't move his waist and then he came to the shocking and frightening solution that his body was failing, it was succumbing to the demonic energy.

And then, he knew.

He would die soon.

No, I don't want that.

He thought He didn't want his body to corrode to demonic energy, he didn't want to be taken by this.

I will not...I will not die this pathetic death.

And that was the turning point.

The third phase of his life. From a bright, charming man, to a cripple to a broker.

No, it was an understatement to call him a broker. He was more than just an average broker. He knew how to do everything. From law to hacking.

He dragged himself up, literally from the bottom of the ladder to the highest...and although he was successful because of what he had 'done'. He was involved in many dangerous things that could have gotten him killed. But his wit had allowed him to survive.

However, this life came with its consequences.

He was able to get potions that could prolong his life, but he had to cut contact with his family.

The last time he saw them was to convince his father for some money...to cure himself.

There were three ways to cure himself.

One, get an SS rank healer to personally treat him. Not happening.

Two, Get the miraculous Elven tear. This was also never going to happen.

Three, Awaken.

The third option was the best, and the least hardest. And so Elton, when he wasn't as successful had asked his father to take him to a dungeon, however, the result of that conversation was deadly.

It was dangerous, you can die, You WILL die, you aren't able to handle mana, and it's hard.

The many things his father said, and yet he thought as he left to do it himself.

So What if I die? Do you honestly think this type of life is WORTH LIVING?!

And then he came to a conclusion.

No, it is not.

I will change it myself.

And that day was the day the man known as Elton Ardor died, And The infamous man of the Underworld Crimson Serpent was born.

****

"What business do you have with me, sir?"

Elton...no Crimson Serpent said, addressing Elijah.

Elijah closed the door beside him and looked at his brother with a lost gaze.

"..."

He stayed silent. The mere fact that his own brother had addressed him like a client, not family had made him stay silent, staring at his brother in contempt.

'How much you have changed...the Underworld has changed you...brother.'

Elijah thought as he stared not at Elton, But at Crimson Serpent.

"...I want to correct some things."

Elijah said as he took a seat in front of Crimson Serpent.

" I offer a wide variety of services, but my services are 'quite' costly."

Crimson Serpent said as he looked at his 'client'

"Let us discuss business over a drink, Shall we?"

Said Crimson...and in front of Elijah's shocked eyes...his brother stood up.

The sound of...metal clashing against one another was heard from his brother, his stride looking forced, and somewhat...unnatural.

'...prosthetics?'

"You are correct, Although these prosthetic legs of mine are not dwarven technology, they suffice to meet my needs."

Crimson said as he walked to the bar...it was as if he knew what Elijah was thinking.

He poured wine into one glass, and an orange liquid into the other, and returned with an unnatural, robotic stride.

"Here."

Crimson handed the glass of orange juice to his client...the favorite drink of his client. The favorite beverage of Elijah.

"..."

Elijah looked at his brother with an odd gaze.

What is this?

What is this feeling of suffocation?

Why do I feel afraid?

Elijah had these thoughts as Crimson sat down in his wheelchair.

His brows were sweaty as he looked at his brother...and then as if he felt something tightening around his neck, Agri came.

[...he reminds me of a rather heinous, cold, and shrewd bastard.]

Agri's voice somehow calmed him down...but his next words made him alert.

[Be careful Elijah. You are lucky, he has not become 'him' yet, not even similar...yet.]

Elijah heard Agri, and as he wondered...Crimson spoke.

"What's the matter, customer?"

*THUMP!*

That voice sent chills down his spine...it was as if something was slithering up his body to his neck.

[Fear has been detected, Fear resistance(D-) has dispelled the fear.]

He felt calm now, it was as if the previous feeling was all but an illusion.

"...Drop the act."

Elijah said...regaining his composure.

"Elton...drop the fucking act."

He said....a hidden rage in his voice.

Crimson...No Elton sighed.

"Sigh...What do you want, Eli?"

Elton said in a cold voice.

"You know exactly why I came here."

Elijah said, drinking the Orange juice in one huge gulp.

"I'm afraid I'm oblivious."

Elton said as he took a sip of his red wine.

"Elton, Dad, and Mom are worried, and Mary is worried. Why are you still living this life?"

"You know that very well...don't yo-you?"

Elton shook a little as he said, and Elijah didn't miss this but dismissed it.

"...Elton...I promise I will find a cure...but you can't awaken..."

Elijah was correct. There was little hope for Elton.

Someone like Elton, who already had low mana and low control over it had a low chance of awakening, and now with a destroyed body wouldn't be able to do it...and he even had demonic energy, Chaos mana in his veins.

Awakening for him was a slim chance, one that even if it had a 0.001 probability of succeeding...was a hope he desperately clung on to.

What could he do? Option One and two were 0% whilst this had a chance.

"I don't want to hear that from you, you will never know how I feel."

Crimson said, and Elijah was outraged.

"I don't know how you feel. Well... do you know how I? How we all Feel?!

We don't want this from you! We tried to help you, we tried to do everything so you won't feel isolated...I tried everything...I just need you to wait! Why can't you do that?! Why must you be involved in this world?! Are you alright with destroying the lives of others for your own success?!"

Elijah yelled at his brother...unable to control himself. All while Elton silently pressed a button underneath his desk.

And soon two guards entered the room...and Elijah stopped.

"Please escort him outside safely."

Crimson said...and the guards approached Elijah...who had no choice but to yield.

"...Don't forget about this. I will save you...no matter what it takes."

Elijah said in a low voice...before he left willingly. And Crimson was left alone in his office.

He opened a drawer and took out a syringe containing a special liquid, and injected himself with it.

Instantly...he felt calm and relieved, his shaking gone.

But then as he opened up his laptop to continue work. He mumbled.

"I know...your tenacity is a problem."